shelduck

shelduck
Sheldrake Shel"drake`, n. [Sheld + drake.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of large Old World ducks of the genus {Tadorna} and allied genera, especially the European and Asiatic species. ({Tadorna cornuta} syn. {Tadorna tadorna}), which somewhat resembles a goose in form and habit, but breeds in burrows. [1913 Webster]

Note: It has the head and neck greenish black, the breast, sides, and forward part of the back brown, the shoulders and middle of belly black, the speculum green, and the bill and frontal bright red. Called also {shelduck}, {shellduck}, {sheldfowl}, {skeelduck}, {bergander}, {burrow duck}, and {links goose}. [1913 Webster]

Note: The Australian sheldrake ({Tadorna radja}) has the head, neck, breast, flanks, and wing coverts white, the upper part of the back and a band on the breast deep chestnut, and the back and tail black. The chestnut sheldrake of Australia ({Casarca tadornoides}) is varied with black and chestnut, and has a dark green head and neck. The ruddy sheldrake, or Braminy duck ({C. rutila}), and the white-winged sheldrake ({C. leucoptera}), are related Asiatic species. [1913 Webster]

2. Any one of the American mergansers. [1913 Webster]

Note: The name is also loosely applied to other ducks, as the canvasback, and the shoveler. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • shelduck — [shel′duk΄] n. pl. shelducks or shelduck any of a genus (Tadorna) of brightly colored wild ducks that feed on fish, shellfish, etc. and nest in burrows …   English World dictionary

  • Shelduck — Shel duck , n. [Sheld variegated + duck.] (Zo[ o]l.) The sheldrake. [Written also {shellduck}.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shelduck — Taxobox name = Shelducks image width = 204px image caption = Female Common Shelduck regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Aves ordo = Anseriformes familia = Anatidae subfamilia = Tadorninae genus = Tadorna genus authority = Boie, 1822… …   Wikipedia

  • shelduck — /shel duk /, n., pl. shelducks, (esp. collectively) shelduck. 1. a sheldrake. 2. a female sheldrake. [1700 10; SHEL(DRAKE) + DUCK1] * * * or sheldrake Any of several short billed, somewhat gooselike, Old World ducks with long legs and an upright… …   Universalium

  • shelduck — /ˈʃɛldʌk/ (say shelduk) noun (plural shelducks, shelduck) 1. any of various ducks constituting the genus Tadorna, certain of which are highly variegated in colour, as the Australian shelduck, T. tadornoides. 2. any of various other ducks,… …  

  • shelduck — Goosander Goos an der, n. [OE. gossander, a tautological word formed fr. goose + gander. Cf. {Merganser}.] (Zo[ o]l.) A species of merganser ({M. merganser}) of Northern Europe and America; called also {merganser}, {dundiver}, {sawbill}, {sawneb} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shelduck — urvinės antys statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Tadorna angl. sheld duck; shelduck vok. Kasarka, f rus. огарь, m; пеганка, f pranc. tadorne, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – melsvasparnės žąsys siauresnis terminas –… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • shelduck — noun Etymology: shel (as in sheldrake) + duck Date: 1707 any of various Old World ducks (genus Tadorna); especially a common mostly black and white duck (T. tadorna) slightly larger than the mallard …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • shelduck — noun Any of various waterfowl of the genus Tadorna, native to Eurasia, Africa and Australasia …   Wiktionary

  • shelduck — [ ʃɛldʌk] noun (plural same or shelducks) a large goose like duck with boldly marked plumage. [Tadorna tadorna and related species.] Origin C18: prob. from dialect sheld pied (rel. to MDu. schillede variegated ) + duck1; the term sheldrake… …   English new terms dictionary

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